Star-Lore

As the Floranian ship slowly approached the planet, everyone inside leaned toward the curved windows. Even the walls of the ship seemed to open up like petals, letting in the full view of the world below.

Sharmitha's eyes widened. "It's like a... garden. A planet made of gardens."

Bobo pressed his face against the glass, his nose squished. "It's so round. And flat. Like... a big green pizza!"

Lyra chuckled softly. Even Sakudara, always serious, gave a quiet nod of approval.

Below them was a small disc-like planet, no taller than a mountain but wide like a city. From above, it looked like a floating island in space covered entirely in glowing green forests, spiraled tree towers, clear rivers that curved like silver threads, and glowing lakes that looked like melted gems.

The center of the planet had a soft pulse of golden light, a huge glowing flower structure, slowly opening and closing like it was breathing. All around it, small wooden bridges stretched across floating petals, and light vines moved gently in the breeze, even though they were in space.

"It's... alive," Sharmitha whispered. "The whole planet... it's alive."

The ship gave a soft hum, like a sigh of relief. The vines on the walls retracted. The floor shifted slightly beneath their feet as they entered the planet's energy field.

The temperature changed.

The air inside became warmer, softer, with a sweet scent like springtime after rain. The glass windows shimmered with dew.

Then slowly the ship landed gently, like a leaf touching water.

A wooden door opened with a soft creak, unfolding into a long curved ramp covered in moss and tiny flowers. Outside, the planet was quiet , peaceful but filled with color, glowing trees, singing insects, and tall flowers that moved like they were greeting the ship.

Suddenly, from the nearby flower towers and vine houses, the families came running.

Mothers, children, older Floranians with walking sticks, they all came hurrying down the spiral paths toward the landing spot.

"Papa!" one small Floranian boy shouted, his arms outstretched.

"Momma!" cried a little girl with glowing green petals for hair.

One by one, the workers who had been on the ship stepped out tired, dusty, but smiling. And the moment they did, they were wrapped in hugs.

The families ran into their arms, parents lifting children, partners hugging tightly,

A Floranian mother gently kissed the forehead of her baby, who had grown a new flower in their hair since she last saw them.

Another father fell to his knees, hugging his two children, who refused to let go.

They had only been gone for one month. But it felt like a longtime.

Sharmitha's eyes widens up. She hadn't seen such love in years. Lyra stayed quiet, watching from behind.

And Bobo? He just stood in the middle of it all, looking confused. "Why's everyone hugging?

And for a moment, just a moment, the fear of the mysterious ship, the danger of being chased, the weight of the universe... it all disappeared.

They were just travelers... standing on a peaceful planet... watching families become whole again and it was beautiful.

Later

The laughter and hugging slowly faded into the soft sounds of the planet

Then, from the ship's long ramp, Spriggan walked out tall, calm, and silent.

He stepped forward, His green eyes glowed faintly under the vines that curled from his shoulders.

He raised one wooden hand toward the gathering Floranians.

"These four..." he said, his voice deep but gentle, "are our guests. Protect them. They walk under our vines now."

He pointed at Lyra, Sakudara, Sharmitha, and Bobo.

The crowd of Floranians looked at the four strangers with curious eyes. Some nodded politely. A few younger ones waved shyly.

Then, quietly, the crowd began to leave hand in hand with their families, walking back to the tall flower homes and glowing bridges.

Now only the five of them stood near the ship.

Spriggan turned away, walking to the side of the landing pad where a giant wooden box stood, He knelt beside it, his arms creaking softly as he opened the lid with a quiet sound.

Inside lay two broken ships carefully shrunken and folded down. One was the golden-brown glowing body of Waffle. The other was Saku's sharp-edged, patchy silver ship.

Both were damaged badly cracks along the edges, wires hanging loose, the paint peeled and burnt. But they were still there.

Spriggan stood up and looked at them.

"We'll repair these," he said, "in my workshop. I can't promise they'll fly like new... but they'll fly again."

Sakudara nodded with quiet respect. Lyra gave a soft sigh of relief. Sharmitha touched her heart. That ship had been her home for years.

Then came Bobo.

He blinked at Spriggan.

"Hey," he asked out loud, tilting his head like a curious puppy, "why didn't anyone... hug you?"

Spriggan paused.

He didn't turn around at first. His leafy fingers gently touched the edge of the ship. Then, in a soft voice, he answered

"I don't have a family."

The words came out so simple…

Everyone turned silent.

Sharmitha looked down. Lyra's eyes flickered. Even Sakudara didn't say anything,

Bobo blinked again, not fully understanding. "Oh... I thought maybe they were all shy or something."

Spriggan smiled a little. "No. Just... no one waiting for me. That's all."

There was no sadness in his voice, only calm. Like a tree that had stood alone for a very, very long time and simply accepted the wind.

Bobo scratched his head. "Well... you can be in our family! We hug sometimes, I think. Sharmi does it a little before. Lyra never did. Saku smells like smoke, so I don't know."

Sharmitha let out a soft giggle through her nose.

Lyra shook her head, smiling just a little.

Sakudara rolled his eyes, but the corner of his mouth twitched.

Spriggan turned back to them with a quiet look of surprise. Then… he nodded.

"Alright then," he said. "Let's get these ships home."